Coal-spout-operating device



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COAL SPOUT OPERATING DEVICE Filed Jan. 29. 1925 im@ g-n Il INVIQLNTORG.M.WuTzLER BY M Va A'ITORNEYS Patented .lune 28, 1927.

UNITED STATES GEORGE M. W'UTZLER, OF WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS.

COAL- SPOUT-OPERATING DEVICE.

Application led January My invention relates to improvements in coalspout operating devices, such as intended for use with continuousstokers, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, andarrangements herein described and claimed. 'I

An object of my invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed which automatically moves the down spout of a coal bunkerthrough an oscillatory path over the feeder trough of a boiler, furnace,or the like.

A further .Object of my invention is to provide a .device of thech'aracter described in which the working parts are protected fromunintentional engagement with falling pieces of coal or the like, and inwhich the covering also serves to shelter the lubricated working parts,which otherwise would become covered with a ydeposit of coal dust.

A further object of my invention is to provide a deviceof the charactervdescribed which is entirely automatic in its operation, which-iscompact inform, and which is thoroughly practical vfor the purposeintended.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed which may be readily disconnected from the spout as in manualoperation of the spout.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification,and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part ofthis application, in which Figure 1 is a sectional view of an embodimentof my invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the mechanism partially illustrated inFigure 1, and

Figure 3 is a front elevation of a part of the mechanism illustrated inFigure 2.

In carrying out my invention I make use ofthe ordinary type of boilersuch as used in power plants, heating plants, and the like. I have showna portion of the front portion of the boiler in dotted lines inFigure 1. Means for guiding coal and fuel, usually to a moving grate orfeeding trough, is provided in a down spout 2 of ordinary constructionwhich is adapted to swing back and forth across the feed trough ormoving grate. This is well known in the art and needs no furtherexplanation.

29, 1925. serial No.V 5,614:

My invention pertains to an automatic means for swinging the spout 2through an oscillatory path over the trough or moving grate. 1

VThe device consists in a spout engaging member 3 which is substantiallysemi-annular in contour so as to partially encompass the side walls ofthe spout 2. This member 3 has a neck 4: and a substantially verticalflattened portion 5. The member 3 is pivotally mounted by means ofvabolt 6 to members 7 carried by a carriage 8.

The carriage 8 consists in a substantially y vertical plate 9 havingfour wheels 10 rotatably mounted in turn in the same plane with theplate 9.

, The wheels 10 are arranged to bear upon parallel horizontal side walls11 of an elongated casing 12. This casing 12 is open at each end and iSsecured .by means ofk bolts 13 to the front panell of the boiler.

The casing 12 is formed with its side walls 11 bent toward one anotherat 14 to form front wall portions 15 of the casing which lie in thelsame plane and are parallel to the rear wall of the casing. Four wheels18 are rotatably mounted upon the plate 8 and are arranged to bear andride upon the inner surface of the wall portions 15. Thus the wheels 10and 18 serve as a guide and movable support by means of which thecarriage 8 may move with a reciprocating movement in the casing 12.

A return lead screw 2O is rotatably mounted in the casing 12 by means ofbearing members 21. This lead screw 20 has a portion 22 which is adaptedfor engagement with a gear, pulley, or the like for connection with asource of power, such as an elec tric motor, steam engine, or otherdriving means.

Referring now to Figure 3 it will be noted that the return lead screw 20has both left and right hand threads cut therein. Thus a member such asthe bifurcated engaging member 22 when placed in engagement withthe'threads of the screw 20 will move to and fro along the screw as itis rotated.

The member 22 is secured to the plate 9, thereby causing a longitudinal,reciprocating movement ofthe plate when the screw is rotated.

In order to maintain the engaging member 22 in proper engagement withthe threads of the screw 2O I provide a guide roller 24 which isrotatably mounted upon rearwardly extending plates 25 carried by theplate 9 and which engage with that portion of the screw 20 diametricallyopposite to the engaging member 22.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, theoperation thereof may be readily understood. Only one means of motivepower is connected to the screw 2O at the portion 22 so that the screw20 is constantly driven.

As soon as the engaging member 22 is in engagement with the returnthreads of the screw, the entire carriage 8 to which the engaging memberis secured will move from one end of the screw 2() to the other upon itsthreaded portion.

The engaging member 22 will be held in proper engagement with the screw2O by means of the guide roller 2st so that the engaging member may notabuse or mutilate the threads.

Friction between the carriage and the casing 11 is reduced to a minimumby virtue of the wheels 10 and 18 which permit the carriage to moveeasily from one end of the screw threads to the other within the casing12. i

The bifurcated member 3 which is in engagement with the spout 2 willcause the spout to move through an oscillatory path and thus delivercoal or the like which is passed therethrough from the upper end to anysuitable feed trough, grate, or the like lsuch as found in boilers andfurnaces of ordinary construction. It should also be noted from Figure 1that the wheels 10 and 18 and the guide rollers 24Lvbear against theinner surfaces of the casing 12, thus preventing accidental movementwhile guiding the spout 2 in its travel. The casing 12 also shields theworking parts from foreign matter. it is' obvious that a .large guidingsurface must be provided for the spout` 2 for taking up side thrustofthe spout, due to strains from the falling coal. rEhe inner surfacesof the casing 12 accomplish this purpose. claim: Y 1. .The combinationwith a niiovable coal spout, of a' carriage loosely connected to saidspout and having wheels, means for reciprocating said carriage, anelongated casing enclosing said carriage and said reciprocating means,said casing having'walls whose inner surfaces are adapted to guide saidwheels.

2. The combination with a movable coal spout, of a carriage looselyconnected to said spout vand having wheels for supporting the weight ofthe carriage, auxiliary 'guide wheels disposed at right angles thereto,V

means for reciprocating said carriage, and a casing enclosing saidcarriage and said reciprocating means, said yfirst named wheels beingarranged to bear on said casing for supporting the greater weight of thecarriage, and said guide wheels being arranged to engage the inner wallsof the casing for guiding the carriage in its movement.

GEORGE M. WUTZLER.

